Conduct that creates apprehension or fear of imminent harmful or offensive contact is known as which intentional tort?

• A. Battery
• B. Assault
• C. False Imprisonment
• D. Invasion of Privacy

Answer: (B)

Assault is the intentional act that creates a reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact. The important point is the perceived threat: the person believes immediate contact could happen, even if no contact actually occurs. This distinguishes assault from battery, which is the actual harmful or offensive contact itself. False imprisonment involves unjustified confinement of a person, not a threat of harm. Invasion of privacy covers unwarranted intrusion into private affairs, not threats of contact.